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Forecasting. The most important development during the year has been the introduction of reports from a limited network of stations at 6 p.m. and midnight, in addition to the existing reports at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m. Similar arrangements have been made in Australia, and we thus now have four principal synoptic charts, covering a wide area, based on observations made within one hour of the times 00, 06, 12, and 18 G.M.T. which have been agreed upon internationally as principal observing hours. Supplementary charts at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., also, are drawn. There is a regular interchange of synoptic reports between New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and Samoa by means of short-wave wireless telegraph broadcasts six times each day. To meet the requirements of war-time defence and of trans-ocean flying, a twenty-four-hour service is now maintained in the Meteorological Offices in Wellington and in Auckland. Just prior to the outbreak of war and the consequent cessation of all ships' reports, arrangements had been made whereby vessels in this area would send four weather reports each day at times corresponding with the principal weather charts. Introduction of this extended scheme has had to be postponed, but the advantage to the forecaster in having additional weather charts based on observations from land stations at 6 p.m. and midnight has done much to offset the handicap imposed by the absence of ships' reports during war-time. The great majority of synoptic stations in New Zealand are now reporting in international cpde, and during the year several more were equipped to enable full reports to be given, including barometric tendency and humidity. As with the climatological stations, lack of staff has, unfortunately, made it impossible to arrange for adequate inspection of reporting stations, but, notwithstanding, a considerable improvement has been made in the general standard of reports and in the accuracy of barometer readings. Regular pilot-balloon observations were started during the year at Awarua Radio Station, near Invercargill, and at the Kermadec Islands. The organization of the weather reporting system from islands in the south-west Pacific, under New Zealand control, was improved during the year. Use of the full international tropical code, designated F. 12 was introduced, and all the islands now make observations at 1900 and 0100 G.M.t! In addition, a limited number make observations at 0600 G.M.T., and Rarotonga and Apia at 1200 G.M.T. also. All the reports are collected and rebroadcast as a collective synoptic message by Apia Radio at 0230, 0815, 1220, and 2030 G.M.T. respectively. The steady increase in the demand for special forecasts provides ample evidence that many sections of the public are making progressively fuller use of the forecasting service. There appears to be a definite increase in interest in their local weather by members of the public, and this immediately results in a much more intelligent use of the forecasts. The handicap placed on a forecaster, in a country of such varied topography as New Zealand, in having to issue forecasts covering a wide area in a comparatively few words is not generally realized. He can do little more than indicate the general type of weather to be expected. But the man who takes an intelligent interest in the day-to-day weather changes soon learns to interpret this forecast in the light of the local peculiarities of his own district. In addition to many inquiries by telephone every day, much more frequent use is being made of the facility whereby a forecast can be obtained by telegram, either " reply paid " or by having the answer sent " collect." Inquiries come from many sources, the most common being from farmers with reference to such operations as haymaking and shearing, from engineers in connection with building operations, road-sealing, &c., and from shipping interests and yachtsmen. Special district forecasts are broadcast daily from Stations IYA and 2YA at 7.30 a.m. and from the four main YA stations at 1 p.m. and 6.55 p.m. when a Dominion forecast is also included. In addition, a forecast for the Hawke's Bay area is given from 2YH at 6.45 p.m. A forecast for farmers covering the next twenty-four hours, together with a " further outlook " giving an indication of the conditions expected during, the next two or three days, is broadcast from 2YA at 3.30 p.m., except Saturdays and Sundays, and from the other YA stations at 4 p.m. In addition, aviation weather reports are broadcast from 2YA and 4YA at 6.50 a.m., 10 a.m., and 1 p.m. In these latter a summary is given of the existing weather conditions over New Zealand, and weather reports from about fifteen of the main towns or aerodromes are included . The 10 a.m. broadcast contains, in addition, a Dominion forecast for the remainder of the day. Forecasts are also supplied to the National Commercial Broadcasting Service and to the press. For a number of years a forecast and series of weather reports for the use of ships have been broadcast at 0930 G.M.T. each evening by radio telegraphy from Station ZLW, on a frequency of 385kc/s. At the beginning of 1940 the time of this broadcast was advanced to 0530 G.M.T., and it has subsequently been transmitted simultaneously on a frequency of 385 kc/s. and 14,850 kc/s. (or 7,600 kc/s. during the winter months). At the same time a similar transmission of weather reports for shipping was introduced at 2020 G.M.I 1 . Full details of this special service for shipping were issued as a " Notice to Mariners," in the New Zealand Gazette No 145, of 20th December, 1939, and amended by an erratum notice in the Gazette, No 146, of the following day. Auckland Branch. Early in the year under review the Auckland Branch was moved from the temporary accommodation in Auckland into its new quarters in the trans-Tasman terminal building at Mechanics Bay. The office is connected by teleprinter with the radio-station at Musick Point, and the detailed system of co-operation with the Meteorological Office at the Sydney terminal has been fully developed along the lines laid down at the Melbourne Conference in December, 1938. Th?, organization has worked satisfactorily on the various survey flights of the flying-boat " Aotearoa." Mr. L. N. Larsen, the Meteorologist in charge at Auckland, flew to Sydney on one of the survey flights of the " Aotearoa," and the Director and Mr. W. R. Dyer, of the Auckland Office, were passengers on the second survey flight to Suva and Nukualofa.

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